[dot] LinuxMCE Partners with KDE for New Release

[Dot Stories]

URL: http://dot.kde.org/1187201437/

From: Aaron J. Seigo <aseigo at kde.org>
Dept: the-medium-is-the-message
Date: Wednesday 15/Aug/2007, @11:10

LinuxMCE Partners with KDE for New Release
==========================================

   When picking a media center solution for your PC, it tends to be a
matter of compromise. There are solutions that are visually attractive,
solutions that are Free/open source software, solutions that are more
complete than others and solutions that integrate well with a desktop
environment. In the past there have been few, if any, that have been all
of these things.  After an extensive beta testing period a new version
of LinuxMCE [http://linuxmce.com/], release 0704, was recently made
available to the public that shows how we can indeed have our media
center cake and eat it too.  Read on for details of this release and
future plans for KDE integration.

     LinuxMCE uses X.org's window compositing functionality to provide a
simple to use fullscreen interface that is blended on top of the media
being played. This interface is a key focus of LinuxMCE according to
lead developer Paul Webber. "The traditional PC user interface doesn't
work well on a TV.  So a different interface is needed, which is called
the '10 foot' interface (in reference to the fact that people interact
with media devices such as televisions from a distance). The '10 foot'
interface is still in the same state as the desktop was pre 1983. There
is no standardisation and each application has to figure out how to
present its functionality to a user."
   [http://static.kdenews.org/jr/linuxmce-screenshot-wee.jpg]
     In an effort to address the '10 foot' interface challenge, LinuxMCE
and KDE Plasma [http://plasma.kde.org] developers are working to bring
the two projects together. The first step was making a prototype showing
how LinuxMCE and KDE can work together, which is showcased in the 0704
release where LinuxMCE is integrated with Kubuntu
[http://www.kubuntu.org] and KDE 3.5.

     Future efforts will integrate LinuxMCE technology closely with
Plasma to make it a compelling media centre option for KDE 4. Bringing
the much needed interface standardisation along with a rich set of
features to the masses requires such a combined effort between the
desktop environment and the media centre projects. This ambitious goal
is possible due to both KDE and LinuxMCE being open source projects
which hobbyists and corporate interests alike, can freely participate
in.

     Of course, interface alone is not enough: LinuxMCE also provides a
compelling set of both traditional and innovative media center
functionality. From its built-in media browser, one can play media both
locally as well as on devices scattered throughout the house over the
network. MythTV is used as the basis for the default media player
functionality, but with LinuxMCE's design this can be swapped out for
other options such as VDR.

     Built in thin-client features allow systems to be booted remotely
then have media streamed to them, with consumer electronic devices such
as HD TVs, stereo components and iPods detected and set up upon being
plugged in, often automatically with little to no user setup required.
Wizard based screens with instruction video walk-throughs are provided
for devices that can not be autoconfigured, making it simple to add even
more complex hardware components to the system.

     These are only some of the capabilities presented by this very
comprehensive system. Other interesting features include its home
automation system, motion sensitive gyro remotes that provide full
access to all on-screen features with just three buttons and much more.
 [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Features]
     As a showcase of its breadth and depth, a 25 minute video
walkthrough and presentation [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Video]
has been made that shows all the key features of LinuxMCE 0704.

     Encouragingly, there is also an emerging marketplace growing up
around LinuxMCE. For instance, one can already purchase motion sensitive
remote controls made specifically for LinuxMCE as well as pre-assembled,
plug-and-play high end LinxuMCE based media systems from companies such
as Fiire [http://fiire.com/]. Such consumer electronics products are
helping open source media centers move from being in the realm of the
enthusiast to being a realistic option for the average person.

     While much attention is being paid to the KDE 4.0 release, there is
already thought and work going into the future of KDE beyond the first
KDE 4 release. The integration of media centre technology in concert
with the LinuxMCE project is a prime example of this. By bringing a
usable, consistent and comprehensive interface to the modern maze of
media, Free software is staking out a leadership position in this area
of client-side computing.

     Downloads of LinuxMCE
[http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Download_Instructions] are available
via ftp/http and BitTorent. DVD distribution of LinuxMCE can also be
purchased at cost (US $3-$5 at the time of this writing) via Google
Checkout on the LinuxMCE main page.


 [http://linuxmce.com/]